Road sharing struggles: Bus drivers’ views on cyclists in Santiago, Chile

Mora, Rodrigo; Figueroa-Martínez, Cristhian; Waintrub, Natan · 2025 · DOAJ

DOI: 10.1016/j.trip.2025.101455

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Summary

This study investigates the under-researched phenomenon of minor conflicts between public transportation bus drivers and cyclists in Santiago, Chile. While existing literature often focuses on fatal or severe accidents recorded in official statistics, this research addresses the frequent "near misses" and non-fatal interactions that significantly impact cyclist apprehension and driver stress. The motivation stems from the rapid growth of cycling in Santiago, which has outpaced the development of adequate infrastructure and regulatory enforcement, leading to increased friction on shared roadways. The researchers employed a qualitative design consisting of three online focus groups with twenty bus drivers (15 male, 5 female) recruited from the transit operator Vule. Participants were selected based on prior survey responses indicating negative perceptions of cyclists, experienced conflicts, or traffic incidents. The sessions were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using ATLAS.ti software through an inductive coding process. The analysis identified three primary themes: stereotypes held by drivers regarding cyclists, strategies used to manage conflicts, and the impact of urban infrastructure deficiencies. The findings reveal that bus drivers categorize cyclists into distinct stereotypes based on appearance, equipment, and behavior. "Responsible" cyclists include sporting cyclists (skilled but sometimes reckless in bus lanes), working cyclists (prudent and routine-oriented), and family cyclists (slow and cautious). Conversely, "irresponsible" cyclists are identified as delivery workers (erratic due to time pressure) and "ghetto" cyclists (associated with low-income areas and perceived disregard for safety). Drivers attribute risky cyclist behavior to a lack of knowledge of traffic laws, insufficient empathy and patience, and a perceived sense of social protection that shields cyclists from consequences. To mitigate conflict, drivers primarily employ avoidance strategies, maintaining significant distance from cyclists to prevent being perceived as aggressors. They also utilize communication tactics, such as flashing lights or seeking passenger assistance for visibility, though some drivers express resentment and choose to ignore cyclists entirely. The study concludes that inadequate and uneven cycling infrastructure exacerbates these conflicts by forcing cyclists into mixed traffic, thereby increasing stress for both parties. The drivers’ perceptions are shaped by a sense of professional undervaluation and frustration with cyclists’ perceived vulnerability ignorance. The research highlights the need for targeted interventions, including improved infrastructure, better traffic education for cyclists, and initiatives to foster mutual understanding between road users, particularly in Latin American contexts where cycling growth is not matched by supportive urban planning.

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• driver vru interaction